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6:30 P.M. NOV.1 UPDATE: Normal University schedules to resume Monday

Posted November 1, 2012; 06:21 p.m.

by Office of Communications

The following story contains updates on several topics, including staff work schedules, electrical power, campus events and travel arrangements for students returning to campus. Please continue to check the University home page for updates.

The University plans to resume normally scheduled operations fully on Monday, including classes as students return from fall recess.

[UPDATE, 9:15 a.m. Friday, Nov. 2: New Jersey Transit has resumed limited service between New York and Trenton, with stops at Newark airport and Princeton Junction. For the schedule, click here. The Dinky line between Princeton Junction and campus remains down, so the University is establishing a shuttle service from the junction to campus. TigerTransit buses will begin meeting trains at Princeton Junction station at 10:25 a.m. and will run continuously until the last scheduled train at 2:39 a.m. Saturday. The University expects to maintain the shuttle service until the Dinky line between Princeton Junction and campus resumes.]

As was the case Thursday, only essential employees and other key staff members who have been contacted directly are to report to work on Friday.

Electrical power was fully restored to all buildings on campus Thursday, and maintenance crews finished clearing roads and walkways and removing dozens of trees that were felled during Hurricane Sandy. A few off-campus buildings not served by the University power network were still dark. A list of them is available on the Department of Facilities’ web site.

In the event New Jersey Transit does not shortly resume train service, the University is making contingency arrangements for shuttle buses to help students return to campus from major Newark airport and the Trenton, which is served by SEPTA regional rail from Philadelphia. The University is monitoring train operations; an announcement on shuttle arrangements is expected Friday morning.

The University is updating travel information in a separate homepage story, which includes contact information for commercial airport shuttles and links to Amtrak and New Jersey Transit train information.

All major roads leading to campus have reopened, although many secondary roads remained blocked due to downed trees and power lines. Even major thoroughfares such as U.S. 1 have extra turn restrictions and traffic lights that are without power.

Most campus events will proceed on schedule through the weekend, including the home football game Saturday afternoon against the University of Pennsylvania and all other athletic events, the Princeton Symphony Orchestra Concert on Sunday and worship services at University Chapel.

Among the few events postponed were Saturday’s annual Community and Staff Day, which will be held Nov. 17, and Dining By Design, which is being moved to December.

At Friend Center, the University opened a reception area for residents of Princeton borough and township whose homes remain without electricity. The hospitality center allows residents to recharge battery-operated devices and get warm. Student volunteers and members of the University staff are on hand to welcome and help the residents.

In the aftermath of the hurricane, the Office of Admission is extending the single-choice early action deadline for all students to Nov. 7. All applications must be submitted online or postmarked by this date unless personal or hurricane-related issues make it difficult or impossible to file the appropriate forms.

This extension also applies to students who are submitting applications through the QuestBridge process. The financial aid deadline for early action remains Nov. 10. For any counselors, teachers or recommenders who may be affected by the hurricane, the Office of Admission will be flexible on the submission of school forms and supporting documents.